Private Water SupplyA Pennsylvania Perspective

Birchwood Lakes Community Association

Groundwater Resource Management

Mr. Brian Oram, PG Mr. Brian Oram, PG Professional Geologist, Soil Scientist, Professional Geologist, Soil Scientist,

PASEO, Licensed Well DrillerPASEO, Licensed Well Driller

Lab Director, Center for Environmental Quality Lab Director, Center for Environmental Quality

Wilkes UniversityWilkes University

Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesEnvironmental Engineering and Earth Sciences

Wilkes Barre, PA 18766Wilkes Barre, PA 18766

http://www.water-research.nethttp://www.water-research.net

Project Sponsors

Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Councilhttp://www.pnercd.org

C-SAW Program - Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds Program

http://pa.water.usgs.gov/csaw/ PA Association of Environmental Professionals

http://www.paep.org

Center for Environmental Quality

Non-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated andNon-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated andmanaged, within the Department of Environmentalmanaged, within the Department of EnvironmentalEngineering and Earth Sciences at Wilkes UniversityEngineering and Earth Sciences at Wilkes University

Outreach Programs Outreach Programs Environmental and Professional Education and TrainingEnvironmental and Professional Education and Training Applied ResearchApplied Research Community and Business Outreach ProgramsCommunity and Business Outreach Programs

Website: http://www.water-research.netWebsite: http://www.water-research.net

Presentation Sponsors Carbon County Groundwater GuardiansCarbon County Groundwater Guardians

http://http://www.carbonwaters.orgwww.carbonwaters.org

Wilkes UniversityWilkes Universityhttp://www.wilkes.eduhttp://www.wilkes.edu

Pocono Northeast Research Conservation and Pocono Northeast Research Conservation and Development CouncilDevelopment Councilhttp://http://www.pnercd.orgwww.pnercd.org//

Constorium for Scientific Assistance to WatershedsConstorium for Scientific Assistance to Watershedshttp://http://pa.water.usgs.gov/csawpa.water.usgs.gov/csaw//

Components of the Water Cycle

First The InsSolar Energy Input

PrecipitationCondensationWell Injection

Irrigation

The OutsEvaporation

TranspirationInfiltrationPercolation

RunoffGroundwater FlowSurfacewater Flow

Well Pumping

water cycle

The Water CyclePowered by the Sun: Solar Power

PrecipitationTypes of Precipitation

NaturalRainSnow

IceHail

Condensation/ Dew

Man-MadeIrrigation

Wastewater Applications

InterceptionInfiltration / Percolation

Canopy Interception

Percolation

Infiltration

Infiltration- Movement Water Into Soil

Percolation - Water Movement Throughthe Soil

Evaporation / TranspirationEvapotranspiration

Evaporation- Driven by Thermal Gradient and Moisture Difference

Stomata

Runoff / Overland Flow

When Rainfall Rate Exceeds Infiltration Runoff is Generated

Low Infiltration Causes - Overland Flow- Loss

Organic Material

Uncontrolled RunoffCauses Erosion

GroundwaterZone of Saturation

Primary Aquifers in PA

Primary Aquifers

Well Geology

Surfacewater & Groundwater

They Are Related and Connected !

Local Water Divide

Groundwater Moves - Slowlyfeet per year

Induced Recharge or Artificial Discharge

Pumping Well - Artificial DischargeArtificial Recharge- Septic Systems

# of homes served by # of homes served by private water systemsprivate water systems

Avg. Avg. Change Change

in in homes homes served served

by by private private water water

systems systems per per yearyear

% of all % of all homes homes served served

by by public public waterwater

% of all % of all homes homes served served

by by private private water water

systemsystem

CountyCounty 19801980 19901990 20002000

BradfordBradford 13,44313,443 16,86516,865 20,28720,287 +342+342 3737 6363

CarbonCarbon 6,5946,594 12,23512,235 17,87617,876 +564+564 5555 4545

LackawannaLackawanna 9,9529,952 12,74512,745 15,53815,538 +279+279 8686 1414

LuzerneLuzerne 19,99419,994 24,66224,662 29,33029,330 +467+467 8282 1818

MonroeMonroe 21,12921,129 37,24637,246 53,36353,363 +1612+1612 3232 6868

PikePike 9,4419,441 16,87516,875 24,30924,309 +743+743 4545 5555

SullivanSullivan 2,1472,147 4,7274,727 7,3077,307 +258+258 1313 8787

SusquehannSusquehannaa

9,4239,423 15,21215,212 21,00121,001 +579+579 2525 7575

TiogaTioga 9,1269,126 11,88811,888 14,65014,650 +276+276 3535 6565

WayneWayne 9,9139,913 19,09719,097 28,28128,281 +918+918 3333 6767

WyomingWyoming 7,2367,236 8,6578,657 10,07810,078 +142+142 2727 7373

RegionRegion 118,398118,398 180,209180,209 242,020242,020 +562+562 4343 5757

Keys to Safe Drinking Water

The Sanitary Survey- Proper Site LocationThe Sanitary Survey- Proper Site Location State Federal and Local RegulationsState Federal and Local Regulations Types of Well Water SourcesTypes of Well Water Sources Well Drilling and ConstructionWell Drilling and Construction Initial Water Testing- Common Water Quality Initial Water Testing- Common Water Quality

ProblemsProblems Well Water Conditioning or TreatmentWell Water Conditioning or Treatment Well Maintenance Well Maintenance

State and Federal Regulation

Currently No Federal Or Pennsylvania State Regulations Currently No Federal Or Pennsylvania State Regulations Related to Private Water Well Construction. Related to Private Water Well Construction.

Pennsylvania has over 1 million households on Private Pennsylvania has over 1 million households on Private Wells.Wells.

Pennsylvania one of 2 states that has no state-wide Pennsylvania one of 2 states that has no state-wide private water well construction standards, via private water well construction standards, via regulation.regulation.

PA does not really have a comprehensive certification PA does not really have a comprehensive certification program for drilling contractors and operators.program for drilling contractors and operators.

Local Agency

The Pennsylvania State Association of TownshipThe Pennsylvania State Association of TownshipSupervisors Surveyed second class townships acrossSupervisors Surveyed second class townships acrossthe state regarding water well ordinances and waterthe state regarding water well ordinances and waterwell related problems. Of the 1,457 townshipwell related problems. Of the 1,457 townshipacross the state:across the state:

601 townships responded to the survey601 townships responded to the survey 39 of 601 townships maintain water well 39 of 601 townships maintain water well

construction ordinancesconstruction ordinances 21 townships were considering and ordinance21 townships were considering and ordinance

Protect Your Water SourceThings You or Your Community Can Do

Periodically InspectPeriodically Inspect Drain Surfacewater and Runoff Drain Surfacewater and Runoff

AwayAway Install Sanitary SealInstall Sanitary Seal Annual TestingAnnual Testing Maintain RecordsMaintain Records Start a Community Based Start a Community Based

Groundwater Education ProgramGroundwater Education Program Carbon County Groundwater Carbon County Groundwater

GuardiansGuardianshttp://www.carbonwaters.org/http://www.carbonwaters.org/

Proper Abandonment Proper Abandonment Chemical Storage, Disposal Chemical Storage, Disposal

and Useand Use Keep Wellhead Above Keep Wellhead Above

GradeGrade Proper Well LocationProper Well Location Septic System MaintenanceSeptic System Maintenance Recycle used Oil and Recycle used Oil and

Participate in Hazardous Participate in Hazardous Chemical Disposal Chemical Disposal ProgramsPrograms

Well OrdinanceWell Ordinance

Private Water Sources Wells

An Ungrouted Residential Well

A Properly Grouted Well

Bedrock Fractures and Fractured Zones

High Yielding Well

Fractured Zone

Lower Yielding Well

Well Isolation Distances

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTMONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY WELL CONSTRUCTION INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY WELL CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS (partial listing)SPECIFICATIONS (partial listing)

Delineated wetlands or floodplains (25 feet)Delineated wetlands or floodplains (25 feet)

Surface waters (25 feet) Storm water Systems (25 feet) Surface waters (25 feet) Storm water Systems (25 feet) Spray Irrigation/ Septage Disposal (100 feet) Spray Irrigation/ Septage Disposal (100 feet)

Farm silos / manure storage (200 feet) Septic Systems (100 feet)Farm silos / manure storage (200 feet) Septic Systems (100 feet)

Septic Tanks/Holding Tanks (50 feet)Septic Tanks/Holding Tanks (50 feet)

Chemical Storage/Preparation Area (300 feet)Chemical Storage/Preparation Area (300 feet)

More Information at More Information at http://www.h2otest.com/regs/pa/montgomery/http://www.h2otest.com/regs/pa/montgomery/

Too Close to the Road

Potential Problems1) Damaged Casing2) Chemical Spills3) Road Salting Agents4) Chemical Sprays5) Vandalism

Well Cap Not Secure

Well Cap is Off !

Standard Well Cap Sanitary Well Cap

Allow entry for insects, small animals Sealed to prevent contamination

Well Construction Options for Private Wells

Unsanitary Well Cap

Insects, Larvae and Insects, Larvae and Nests / Egg MassesNests / Egg Masses

Mouse ColoniesMouse Colonies SnakesSnakes BeehivesBeehives Mud - when casing to Mud - when casing to

close to groundclose to ground

Types of Contamination - Bacteria, Pathogens, Sediment Subject to Vandalism, Salts, and Flooding

Poor construction can affect drinking water Poor construction can affect drinking water qualityquality

Poor construction can contribute, promote, and Poor construction can contribute, promote, and facilitate pollution and contamination of the facilitate pollution and contamination of the groundwater aquifergroundwater aquifer

Proper construction can prolong the life and Proper construction can prolong the life and yield of the wellyield of the well

Why Care About Well Construction ?

Well Construction Open Hole Bedrock Well

Driveshoe

Casing With Driveshoe

Driveshoe

Welding the Steel Casing

A Properly Grouted Well

Tremie PipeTremie Pipe

Installing the Tremie Pipe

Pumping in the Bentonite Grout

Why Test My Water ?

A USGS survey found that 70% of private wells wereA USGS survey found that 70% of private wells werecontaminated. This contamination could result in acutecontaminated. This contamination could result in acuteor chronic health concerns.or chronic health concerns.

In general, there are no regulations related to wellIn general, there are no regulations related to wellconstruction, placement, or required testing. It is up toconstruction, placement, or required testing. It is up toyou to determine the safety of your water.you to determine the safety of your water.

EPA recommends, at minimum, an annual water test forEPA recommends, at minimum, an annual water test forprivate wells.private wells.

Primary Standards (NPDWR)

National Primary Drinking Water RegulationsNational Primary Drinking Water Regulations

Primary standards protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels ofPrimary standards protect drinking water quality by limiting the levels of

specific contaminants that can adversely affect public health and are knownspecific contaminants that can adversely affect public health and are known

or anticipated to occur in water. They take the form of Maximumor anticipated to occur in water. They take the form of Maximum

Contaminant Levels or Treatment Techniques.Contaminant Levels or Treatment Techniques.

There are over 100 chemical and biological primary drinking waterThere are over 100 chemical and biological primary drinking water

standards, which include: trace metals, disinfection agents, disinfection by-standards, which include: trace metals, disinfection agents, disinfection by-

products, radiological, microbiological agents, and organic chemicals. products, radiological, microbiological agents, and organic chemicals.

Examples:Examples: Arsenic, Lead, MTBE, total coliform, Arsenic, Lead, MTBE, total coliform, GiardiaGiardia, Trihalomethanes,, Trihalomethanes,

Asbestos, Copper, Benzene, Trichloroethane, etc.Asbestos, Copper, Benzene, Trichloroethane, etc.

Secondary Standards

National Secondary Drinking Water RegulationsNational Secondary Drinking Water Regulations

These standards were established more for cosmeticThese standards were established more for cosmeticEffects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (suchEffects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (suchas taste, odor or color) in drinking water.as taste, odor or color) in drinking water.

These are not regulated standards, but recommended limits.These are not regulated standards, but recommended limits.

The secondary standards include: aluminum, chloride, color, The secondary standards include: aluminum, chloride, color, corrosivity, fluoride, foaming agents, iron, manganese, odor,corrosivity, fluoride, foaming agents, iron, manganese, odor,pH, silver, sulfate, total dissolved solids, and zinc.pH, silver, sulfate, total dissolved solids, and zinc.

What Should I Test

The Selection of the Appropriate Testing The Selection of the Appropriate Testing Parameters Depends on YOUR WaterParameters Depends on YOUR Water

How does it taste?How does it taste? Do you have odor problems ?Do you have odor problems ? Are there any aesthetic problems, such as: color, Are there any aesthetic problems, such as: color,

turbidity, grittiness, or staining ?turbidity, grittiness, or staining ? Where are you located ?Where are you located ? How much do you want to spend ? How much do you want to spend ?

Comprehensive testing can cost over $2500.00Comprehensive testing can cost over $2500.00

Taste Problems

Salty or Brackish Salty or Brackish TasteTaste

Alkali TasteAlkali Taste

Metallic or Bitter Metallic or Bitter TasteTaste

High SodiumHigh Sodium

Elevated Hardness or Elevated Hardness or

alkalinityalkalinity

Corrosion, Low pH, highCorrosion, Low pH, high

metallic content (Cu, Fe,metallic content (Cu, Fe,

Mn, Pb,Al, Zn)Mn, Pb,Al, Zn)

Odors Rotten Egg / Musty Rotten Egg / Musty

OdorOdor Oily Oily

Methane Like-SmellMethane Like-Smell

Chemical/ SolventChemical/ Solvent

Sulfate, Sulfur,Sulfate, Sulfur,

Nuisance BacteriaNuisance Bacteria Gasoline, OilGasoline, Oil

Contamination orContamination or

Nuisance BacteriaNuisance Bacteria Organic Material orOrganic Material or

Natural GasNatural Gas Industrial ChemicalsIndustrial Chemicals

Note: Methane gas has no odor.

Sediments and Stains

Milky or CloudyMilky or Cloudy

Precipitation of carbonates / sulfates, excessive air, suspended solids,Precipitation of carbonates / sulfates, excessive air, suspended solids,

aquifer materialaquifer material

Bluish Green – Green PrecipitatesBluish Green – Green Precipitates

Copper, hardness, aggressive water and corrosion by-products, nuisanceCopper, hardness, aggressive water and corrosion by-products, nuisance

bacteriabacteria

Blackish Tint or Black Slimes

Reactions with manganese and possibly iron, nuisance bacteriaReactions with manganese and possibly iron, nuisance bacteria

Yellowish or Reddish Tint or SlimesYellowish or Reddish Tint or Slimes

Humic material, dissolved or precipitated iron, nuisance bacteriaHumic material, dissolved or precipitated iron, nuisance bacteria

Groundwater Pocono's Region:Pike County

Based on the geology of the Pocono's region, theBased on the geology of the Pocono's region, the

commoncommon water quality problems are as follows: water quality problems are as follows:

Corrosive WaterLow pH

Soft Water (low hardness) to Moderate Hardness

Iron and Manganese Discolored Water – Reddish

to Brown TintsTotal Coliform Bacteria

Sulfur Odors and Elevated Sulfates

Coliform BacteriaColiform BacteriaColiform Bacteria

Absent or < 1 colony/100 mlAbsent or < 1 colony/100 ml

Testing PurposeTesting PurposeUsed as an Indicator of Sanitary Used as an Indicator of Sanitary Condition of Water SourceCondition of Water Source

SourcesSourcesNatural Soil BacteriaNatural Soil BacteriaHuman and Animal WasteHuman and Animal WasteInsect WasteInsect Waste

Less Common Problems

These water quality are not common to Groundwater inThese water quality are not common to Groundwater inPike County.Pike County.

Elevated Nitrate- Nitrite Levels (local problems)Elevated Nitrate- Nitrite Levels (local problems)

Radon or Radiological (local issues) Radon or Radiological (local issues)

Arsenic (local issues)Arsenic (local issues)

Organic ContaminationOrganic ContaminationElevated Trace Metals Elevated Trace Metals

(except corrosion by-products like Copper, Lead, Aluminum, Zinc)(except corrosion by-products like Copper, Lead, Aluminum, Zinc)Salty or Brackish Water (very deep wells)Salty or Brackish Water (very deep wells)

Trihalomethanes Trihalomethanes Pathogenic OrganismsPathogenic Organisms

Corrosive Water Chemical or Biochemical Reaction between Chemical or Biochemical Reaction between

the water and metal surfaces.the water and metal surfaces.

The corrosion process is an The corrosion process is an oxidation/reduction reaction that returns oxidation/reduction reaction that returns refined or processed metal to their more refined or processed metal to their more stable ore state.stable ore state.

Corrosion can also be accelerated by: Corrosion can also be accelerated by:

1) low pH and high pH;1) low pH and high pH; 2) high flow rate within the piping;2) high flow rate within the piping; 3) high water temperature;3) high water temperature; 4) chemistry of the water; and4) chemistry of the water; and 4) presence of suspended solids, such as 4) presence of suspended solids, such as

sand. sand.

Copper – TypicallyBlue or Blue-Green Staining

May also have elevated levelsof Lead and Zinc.

pHpH < 7 acidic pH < 7 acidic a pH > 7 basica pH > 7 basic

NSDWR – 6.5 – 8.5NSDWR – 6.5 – 8.5

ProblemsProblems Bitter or Alkali TasteBitter or Alkali Taste

CorrosionCorrosion Scale FormationScale Formation Leaching Metals- Copper,Leaching Metals- Copper,

Lead, Zinc, and AluminumLead, Zinc, and Aluminum

Water Hardness, Iron, Manganese The hardness of a water is a measure of the The hardness of a water is a measure of the

concentration of the multivalent cations (Ca, Mg, concentration of the multivalent cations (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, etc) associated with carbonates (CO3) .Fe, Mn, etc) associated with carbonates (CO3) .

Hardness is typically reported as mg /L as Hardness is typically reported as mg /L as CaCO3 (calcium carbonate)CaCO3 (calcium carbonate)

Grains per gallon (1 gpg (US) = 17.12 mg Grains per gallon (1 gpg (US) = 17.12 mg CaCO3/L ). CaCO3/L ).

Hardness Classification: Hardness Classification: Soft: 0 to 17 mg CaCO3/LSoft: 0 to 17 mg CaCO3/L Slightly Hard: 17 to 60 mg/L;Slightly Hard: 17 to 60 mg/L; Moderately Hard 60 to 120 mg/LModerately Hard 60 to 120 mg/L Hard 120 to 180 mg/LHard 120 to 180 mg/L Very Hard > 180 mg/LVery Hard > 180 mg/L

Secondary Drinking Water StandardIron – 0.30 mg/L (red or black)Manganese – 0.05 mg/L (black)

Sulfates in Water

Sulfates are a combination of sulfur and oxygen and are a part ofSulfates are a combination of sulfur and oxygen and are a part ofnaturally occurring minerals in some soil and rock formations thatnaturally occurring minerals in some soil and rock formations thatcontain groundwater. The mineral dissolves over time and is releasedcontain groundwater. The mineral dissolves over time and is releasedinto groundwater. into groundwater.

Hydrogen sulfide gas also occurs naturally in some groundwater. The Hydrogen sulfide gas also occurs naturally in some groundwater. The gas is formed from decomposition of organic compounds containedgas is formed from decomposition of organic compounds containedwithin the bedrock. Problems are typically found in aquifers that arewithin the bedrock. Problems are typically found in aquifers that areshale, siltstone, peat related, or near surface sources of organic material.shale, siltstone, peat related, or near surface sources of organic material.

Sulfur-reducing bacteria, use sulfur as an energy source and are theSulfur-reducing bacteria, use sulfur as an energy source and are thePrimary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. ThesePrimary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Thesebacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfidebacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide

Problems with Sulfates

Laxative Effect- MCL 250 mg/LLaxative Effect- MCL 250 mg/L Form Precipitates on Piping and Form Precipitates on Piping and

FixturesFixtures Rotten Egg OdorsRotten Egg Odors Sewage Gas OdorsSewage Gas Odors CorrosionCorrosion Water Heater FailureWater Heater Failure/Odors/Odors

Radon (In Air)- Pike County, PA

Pike County in the Orange Zone – Suggests indoor air radon levels are less than 4 pCi/L

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/RadiationProtection_Apps/Radon/

  Number of Min Result Maximum Result Avg Result

Zip Code Tests pCi/L pCi/L pCi/L

18328 1214 0.1 70.7 4.7

Marcellus Shale- Natural Gas Play50 to 200 trillion cubic feet

Birchwood Lakes(approximate location)

Marcellus Shale Photo

Outcrops Along theSoutheastern Border of Pike CountyAlong Route 209

Getting to The Natural Gas

5000 to 7000 feet

Up to a few thousand feet

Freshwater Well

Possible saline water

Marcellus Shale Drilling Site

Pads can be 5+ acres – but one pad may support drilling multiple horizontal wells.

Concerns Related to Marcellus Shale

Based on Community Location – this should not be a Based on Community Location – this should not be a major concern or impact.major concern or impact.

In general, the concerns are related to the following:In general, the concerns are related to the following: Erosion and SedimentationErosion and Sedimentation Volume of Water Used In Hydrofracturing- 2 to 9 Volume of Water Used In Hydrofracturing- 2 to 9

million gallons per well.million gallons per well. Loss of Freshwater Aquifer or contamination by brine Loss of Freshwater Aquifer or contamination by brine

water and drilling fluids.water and drilling fluids. Drilling fluids may contain environmental Drilling fluids may contain environmental

contaminations (metals and organics).contaminations (metals and organics). Impacts to Roadways, Tourism, and EcologyImpacts to Roadways, Tourism, and Ecology

Active Marcellus Production Site

Site Located in Chemung County, NY.

Project Sponsors

Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Councilhttp://www.pnercd.org

C-SAW Program - Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds Program

http://pa.water.usgs.gov/csaw/ PA Association of Environmental Professionals

http://www.paep.org

Summary

Keys to Safe Drinking Water (Private Well)Keys to Safe Drinking Water (Private Well)

Proper Handling of Chemicals and WasteProper Handling of Chemicals and WasteDevelopment of Local StandardsDevelopment of Local StandardsUnderstand Your SourceUnderstand Your SourceAnnual Water TestingAnnual Water TestingPublic EducationPublic Education

Private Water SupplyA Pennsylvania Perspective

Birchwood Lakes Community Association

Mr. Brian Oram, PG Mr. Brian Oram, PG Professional Geologist, PASEO, Licensed Well DrillerProfessional Geologist, PASEO, Licensed Well Driller

Lab Director, Center for Environmental Quality Lab Director, Center for Environmental Quality Wilkes UniversityWilkes University

Environmental Engineering and Earth SciencesEnvironmental Engineering and Earth SciencesWilkes Barre, PA 18766Wilkes Barre, PA 18766

http://www.water-research.nethttp://www.water-research.net